Blood Cell Count and the Presence or Absence of Infection in Venous Ulcers Treated With Platelet-Rich Plasma.

INTRODUCTION: In general, chronic wounds are colonized by bacteria; however, when microorganisms start to multiply at higher levels, wounds can become infected, causing prolongation of the inflammatory phase and retardation of collagen synthesis and epithelialization. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of infection in venous ulcers after 12 weeks of treatment with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and determine global white blood cell counts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case series study involved a sequential sample of 17 patients with venous ulcers treated with PRP for 12 weeks. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed using the McNemar test and χ² test. RESULTS: At baseline, 10 patients (58.8%) had wound infection. During the sixth week of treatment with PRP, only 3 patients (17.6%) continued to exhibit wound infection. After 12 weeks of PRP treatment, only 1 patient (5.9%) continued to exhibit wound infection. McNemar and χ² tests used to assess the presence of infection in the intervention group produced a P value of .0039 for a comparison of baseline and week 6 and a P value of .0078 for a comparison of baseline and week 12. These results demonstrated significant differences from baseline at both 6 weeks and 12 weeks of treatment, with greater significance at 12 weeks. There was no relationship between global white blood cell count and the presence of infection. CONCLUSION: After intervention with PRP, 94% of patients experienced improvement concerning the infection of ulcers.

Geographic tongue severity index: A new and clinical scoring system.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to develop a severity index for geographic tongue (GT) based on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional observational study, with a retrospective sample of 100 participants, included 5 photographs of each case (dorsum, right border, left border, apex, and lingual belly), totaling 500 images of GT, which were evaluated by 3 experienced researchers in the area of GT and psoriasis. At the end of the analysis, GT was classified as mild, moderate, or severe. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients, white women were most prevalent, accounting for 53% of cases. Of these participants, 34% had psoriasis and 24% reported a burning sensation. The values of the proposed new index obtained at time 1 (0.855) and time 2 (0.819) presented low variability, and intra- and interrater correlations produced satisfactory values ranging from 0.950 to 0.898 and 0.898 to 0.850, respectively. CONCLUSION: The new index, Geographic Tongue Area and Severity Index, provides a better characterization of GT by assessing the severity of lesions in an easy and reliable manner, and it is indicated as a first step for interpreting the condition in clinical routines and clinical trials.

Plasma rico em plaquetas no tratamento de úlceras venosas: série de casos / Platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of venous ulcers: a case series / Plasma rico en plaquetas en el tratamiento de úlceras venosas: serie de casos

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a viabilidade do tratamento de úlceras venosas com o Plasma Rico em Plaquetas (PRP). MÉTODO: Estudo descritivo do tipo série de casos, realizado como piloto de um ensaio clínico, com amostra de três pacientes, alocados após a randomização, dois para intervenção e um para o controle. O custo direto foi coletado por meio de observação direta. RESULTADOS: Nos pacientes que receberam a intervenção (PRP), das duas úlceras venosas acompanhadas, uma apresentou cicatrização total, com um custo de US$550,35 e a outra obteve taxa de redução de área de 33,33%, com o custo de US$1.070,32. No paciente controle, a taxa de redução da úlcera venosa foi de 83,33%, com o custo de US$361,53. DISCUSSÃO: A partir do teste piloto, foi possível adequar os protocolos e determinar os insumos para realização do estudo. CONCLUSÃO: A avaliação de protocolos clínicos é de suma importância para o desenvolvimento de ensaios clínicos controlados

OBJECTIVE: To assess the viability of the treatment of venous ulcers with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). METHOD: A descriptive case series study conducted as a pilot study for a clinical trial. With a sample of three patients, allocated after randomization, two for intervention and one for control. The cost was collected by means of direct observation. RESULTS: In patients who received the intervention (PRP), two venous ulcers were followed-up, one presented complete healing, with a cost of US$ 550.35, and the other exhibited a rate of area reduction of 33.33%, with a cost of US$ 1,070.32. In the control patient, there was an 83.33% reduction in the venous ulcer area, with a cost of US$ 361,53. DISCUSSION: The pilot test made it possible to adequate the protocols and to determine the supplies required for the completion of the study. CONCLUSION: The assessment of the clinical protocols is pivotal for the development of controlled clinical trials

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la viabilidad del tratamiento de úlceras venosas con el plasma rico en plaquetas (PRP). MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo de serie de casos, realizado como piloto de un ensayo clínico, con una muestra de tres pacientes, asignados mediante aleatorización, dos para la intervención y uno para el control. El costo directo se estimó mediante observación directa. RESULTADOS: En los pacientes que recibieron la intervención (PRP), de las dos úlceras venosas monitoreadas, una cuales presentó cicatrización total, con un costo de US$ 550,35, y la otra tuvo una tasa de reducción de área del 33,33%, con un costo de US$ 1070,32. En el paciente control, la tasa de reducción de la úlcera venosa fue del 83,33%, con un costo de US$ 361,53. DISCUSIÓN: A partir de la prueba piloto, fue posible adecuar los protocolos y determinar los insumos necesarios para realizar el estudio. CONCLUSIÓN: La evaluación de protocolos clínicos es de suma importancia para el desarrollo de ensayos clínicos controlados

Application of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of chronic skin ulcer - case report.

The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has proved promising regarding its applicability in dermatology, especially in the healing of chronic ulcers. The autologous platelet-rich plasma is obtained by centrifuging the blood, so that the components are separated by density gradient. The final product is a gel rich in growth factors that act in tissue repair by activating fibroblasts and inducing extracellular matrix remodeling.

Application of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of chronic skin ulcer - Case report

The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has proved promising regarding its applicability in dermatology, especially in the healing of chronic ulcers. The autologous platelet-rich plasma is obtained by centrifuging the blood, so that the components are separated by density gradient. The final product is a gel rich in growth factors that act in tissue repair by activating fibroblasts and inducing extracellular matrix remodeling.

Oral candidiasis in patients with psoriasis: correlation of oral examination and cytopathological evaluation with psoriasis disease severity and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Infections are known to trigger and exacerbate psoriasis. Although oral candidiasis is often clinically diagnosed, it is not always confirmed by laboratory tests such as oral cytopathology. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of oral candidiasis in patients with psoriasis through clinical and cytopathological diagnosis and to investigate the association between oral candidiasis and psoriasis with regards to the severity of the clinical presentation and the type of treatment for psoriasis. METHODS: A total of 140 patients with psoriasis and 140 healthy control subjects received an oral examination. Scrapings of the tongue were also obtained for a cytopathological examination. RESULTS: The oral examination and the results of the cytopathological smear revealed 37 (26%) cases of candidiasis in the patients with psoriasis and no cases of candidiasis in the healthy control subjects. There was no correlation between the type of psoriasis treatment and the presence of oral candidiasis (P = .616). There was a statistically significant association (P = .033) between the clinical severity of psoriasis and the presence of Candida. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by the small number of subjects and the lack of follow-up to determine the development of psoriasis after treatment for oral candidiasis. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of oral candidiasis is higher in patients with psoriasis and it is associated with disease severity. This increased presence of oral candidiasis was apparent despite any type of treatment for the psoriasis. Cytopathology to rule out oral candidiasis should be used in the routine medical workup of patients with psoriasis.

[Skin diseases in hemodialysis and kidney transplant patients]. / Alterações dermatológicas nos pacientes em hemodiálise e em transplantados.

Recently, the world is facing an escalate in the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Databases containing information about patients in end stage renal disease (ESRD), especially in the United States, were the sources of initial information about it. Brazil has the third largest population on dialysis in the world, and there are about 680 dialysis centers, spread across all units of the federation in the present, providing treatment to an estimated population of almost 90,000 patients. Cutaneous involvement in the chronic renal failure is characterized by a number of manifestations, which may be related to three processes: the primary renal disease, the uremic state, or the therapeutic measures used in their handling. The skin changes in these two classes of patients, dialysis and transplant recipients, have been the subject of several studies. n recent years, however, great progress has been achieved in these two therapeutic modalities, which may have changed not only the type of the dermatologic disorders associated with these two conditions, but also their intensity or frequency. This article aims to yield an update as to the topic skin diseases in hemodialysis and kidney transplant patients.

Alterações dermatológicas nos pacientes em hemodiálise e em transplantados / Skin diseases in hemodialysis and kidney transplant patients

Na atualidade, o mundo está enfrentando uma epidemia de doença renal crônica (DRC). Bases de dados contendo informações sobre os pacientes no estágio terminal da doença renal (DRCt), especialmente nos Estados Unidos, foram as fontes das primeiras informações a respeito deste assunto. O Brasil possui a terceira maior população em diálise no mundo, e atualmente existem cerca de 680 centros de diálise, distribuídos por todas as unidades da federação, atendendo uma população estimada em quase 90.000 pacientes. O envolvimento cutâneo na insuficiência renal crônica é caracterizado por uma diversidade de manifestações, as quais podem ser relacionadas a três processos: à doença renal primária; ao estado urêmico ou a medidas terapêuticas empregadas no seu manuseio. As alterações dermatológicas nessas duas classes de pacientes, dialisados e transplantados, já foram motivo de diversos estudos. Nos últimos anos, entretanto, grandes progressos foram alcançados nestas duas modalidades terapêuticas, os quais podem ter modificado tanto o tipo de alteração dermatológica associada a estas duas condições, quanto a sua intensidade ou frequência. Este artigo tem como objetivo oferecer uma atualização sobre o tema dermatoses em hemodialisados e transplantados.

Recently, the world is facing an escalate in the incidence of chronic kidney dis>ease (CKD). Databases containing information about patients in end stage renal disease (ESRD), especially in the United States, were the sources of initial information about it. Brazil has the third largest population on dialysis in the world, and there are about 680 dialysis centers, spread across all units of the federation in the present, providing treatment to an estimated population of almost 90,000 patients. Cutaneous involvement in the chronic renal failure is characterized by a number of manifestations, which may be related to three processes: the primary renal disease, the uremic state, or the therapeutic measures used in their handling. The skin changes in these two classes of patients, dialysis and transplant recipients, have been the subject of several studies. n recent years, however, great progress has been achieved in these two therapeutic modalities, which may have changed not only the type of the dermatologic disorders associated with these two conditions, but also their intensity or frequency. This article aims to yield an update as to the topic skin diseases in hemodialysis and kidney transplant patients.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

A 55-year-old man with progressive loss of vision was referred for dermatology consultation for the evaluation of his skin lesions. The cutaneous examination of the patient revealed multiple small yellow papules, coalescing into plaques, on his neck, axillae and periumbilical regions. He also had redundant skin folds on the axillae. His peripheral pulses and blood pressure were normal. Angioid streaks were found in the ocular fundi. A skin biopsy specimen of the papule showed fragmentation of elastic fibers as well as calcification in the dermis. Given the clinical manifestations and the histopathologic findings, the patient's illness was diagnosed as pseudoxanthoma elasticum. The patient was then sent to undergo a thorough cardiovascular evaluation.

Manifestaçöes cutâneas em deficiências nutricionais / Skin manifestations in nutritional deficiencies

Säo analisadas, no material disponível, as principaiscondiçöes clínicas decorrentes de deficiências nutricionais em criança, adulto e idoso, visando as estratégias a serem empregadas em sua profilaxia e tratamento. Säo relacionadas as deficiências nutricionais específicas pelo uso de determinadas drogas no adulto e na criança, e discutidos os problemas da administraçäo de suplementos vitamínicos, nutricionais e, sobretudo, das formulaçöes ortomoleculares, que o grupo considera necessário ser objeto de debate para o próximo Congresso Brasileiro de Dermatologia. É abordada ainda a necessidade do uso da mídia para informaçäo à populaçäo de baixa renda sobre o assunto e da ênfase de sua induçäo como tema para investigaçöes nos cursos de graduaçäo da área médica.